If I would win the EPILOG CONTEST I would use the Zing 16 Laser system to create a better version of my Mousetrap. Never mind, I have hundreds of ideas, how I could use such a cool machine

Step 1: C.A.D. Design

First of all I tried the design in Sketchup 8, which is still free

I could try a few designs virtually to see if everything fits

Step 2: Housing

To build the housing (350mmx110mm), I used 5mm foamed PVC Sheets.

So, I could use a cutter as CNC machine :)

Step 3: Infrared Barrier

To detect if a mouse is inside, I made an infrared barrier.

It was build on breadboard for test, but I was too lasy to make my own PCB, so I ordered it in China.

It took one week and the result is stunning.

I want to use an external power supply, but I decided later, to use the 5V from the raspberry pi.

Step 4: Transmitter and Receiver

To fix the IR sensors TEMIC K153P inside the trap, I manually milled two grooves.

They were placed behind the 3mm acrylic glass plates.

As you can see, the 9gr. servo motor is already mounted.

Step 5: Pi Camera With Fisheye

I used a cheap fisheye lens to mount in front of the pi camera.

For mobile phones these lenses are fine, because the phones have an autofocus.

The pi camera has a fixed focus so that the picture is blurry.

I will try to change the focus on the pi camera, but not for now.

Step 6: Scripts

The scrips are written in python.

The trap software has the start script. Basically, this one just checks if the end switch is released, and then jumps to the main part.

In this one, we check if a mouse is detected by the infrared barrier and then it jumps to the script which takes a Photo and sends the Instant message. After this it jumps to the one who sends the mail.

For the instant messaging I use Instapush (https://instapush.im/)

Step 7: Everything in Place

At the back side you will find the Raspberry Pi, the servo motor and then PCB for the Infrared barrier

The release mechanism on the left side is a thin piece of PVC. It is connected over a thin metal bar with the servo motor. Behind the servo is an end switch. This one detects, when the trap was released.

Inside the trap is white LED. It shows me the status of the mousetrap and it is used as

flashlight to take the pictures

The raspberry runs on archlinux.

Things to add:

- Web server with live view

- Even if the trap is not airtight, I will add a few air holes in the cover

Step 8: Last Words

No animals were harmed during these tests.

In the trap is always enough food and water for the mouse, to survive until it gets released.

Hello. I have a question regarding the PCB. I am essentially illiterate insofar as electronics are concerned. I can read the graphic above and know that the parts are but, let's just say that I know enough to be dangerous. :-)

What do the companies that fabricate the PCB board require? In what format should I present the schematic for them to build the PCB? Thanks for any clarification along those lines.

As an Australian farmer, and as my personal opinion, I can see that you are certainly going in the right direction with this mouse trap; thank you and well done both to you, the Instructables community and all those who are introducing this electronic revolution to the people in a non-proprietry manner. What a "slow train coming", but coming none the less, "inch by inch and row by row" due to the foresight and dedication of people like you.

However (and knowing next to nothing about electronics etc, and wanting to alert all electronics types who want to build the "better mousetrap"), surely without much tweaking it can be made even more pragmatic and super- efficient for farmers, graingrowers, poultry producers etc, being those of us who have constant and often large scale (i.e. plague) vermin problems in and around sheds etc.

Perhaps your setup could have further modes included. The first one as you have described and manufactured, being for smaller numbers of problem vermin e.g. a single clever rat devouring all your equipment made of aromatic plastics in your shed; it is caught, and the unit sends the photo. (BTW rats and mice knaw/ chew quickly through all plastics and insulation materials)

Alternately, a second mode with the same initial situation - being a protected bait inside your boxtrap, lures in the rat/mouse/possum etc and the sensor triggers entrance door to close as usual, but then, mode 2 adds the floor "opening and dropping" ("bomber doors"?) mouse etc into a 200 litre drum below where it /they can be dealt with later ( possible mode 3 electrocution circuit on the way down into a bed of lime ?) Following the drop, mode 2 includes automatic reset of trap wth floor closing and entrance door opening again. (No photos or notifications necessary but can be included if desired). Not too James Bond I hope? If you can design it I'll learn enough electronics and programming (harder than a 1993 University O chemistry degree?) to make it. With thanks Henry C